psyho shower scene editing

Psycho shower scene – how is editing used to enhance the conventions?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VP5jEAP3K4

The invisible art also known as editing was advanced by DW grifth who used the first close up. Ever since that moment the art has advanced greatly and now into the editing we see in movies which have an collection of different techniques. Editing is the juxtaposition (placing side by side) of shots to create meaning. Editing is when you choose a range of camera shots arranging it in a coherent whole. In addition there are many techniques used for editing , which give a array of different effects most commonly; cross cut, straight cut, match on action, fade, dissolve, wipe and split screen. We see use of many editing techniques in the shower scene in psycho. Although not all techniques are used there are loads of excellent examples used. Hitchcock uses point-of-view and direct address editing preceding the famous shower scene in Psycho, during which the camera manipulates the spectator's perspective through cutting and enhancing  the conventions.

Cross cut is a techniques used in editing it is used to cut the narrative or action to a different one.  This is used to cut down scene times in a two hour film there is not enough time to show a whole train journey, cross cut is used to shorten the time in the scene but still give the audience the impression that they have been on the train and it was long journey. This could be done by having a shot of the train moving, a shot of a man sleeping and a shot of a man getting off the train. These shot would all suggest a long train journey without the long time it would normally take. This can be seen in psycho where the woman is in the shower the use of shots suggest she has been in the shower for a very long time however the editor have only used three shots. This highlights the effect of cross cut editing which creates the feeling of length in psycho through the use of not many shots seen in the tree shots bellow.
 

 Similar to cross cut another technique used is Straight cut. Straight cut is used as a sudden change of shot from one view point to another. an example of this is seen in in physco where the audience see a shot of the killer and stright away see the shock and surprice of the woman. This shows the audience what is going on in the scene and makes it clear. the stright cut also helps to highlight meanings. it also helps to build suspence this is also seen in these to shots where it is suggested that the woman will be killed. 

 

Match on action is A cut made on action or movement between two shots in which the action has been overlapped either by repetition of the action or by the use of more than one camera. often helping to establish a strong continuity of action and linking the two shots metaphorically.

Fade, Dissolve, Wipe and Split screen editing are not seen in the phcyso however are used in thriller film which have contrasting effects. Fade is a transition to or from a blank screen. This is normally seen at the end of scenes. to create a slow eding and for the audience to think about the ending.  Dissolve editing are the slow transition as one image merges into another. this is commonly used to show a change of setting or scene. wipe editing is an optional technique where on shot wipes another off the screen. This normally creates a dramatic effect to the audience. Split screen is a division of the screen in order to show two or more lines of action simultaneously. this is commonly used to show two points at the same time.

Fast editing is used when Marion is getting stabbed in the shower, the cuts include shots of her hands feet and stomach getting stabbed one after another, this is done within about 20 seconds of filming. It is conventional to a thriller film to have fast paste editing this is to keep the audience engaged and alert. In this instant the main character has just died this begins to trigger questions in the audience’s head as to what is going to happen in the rest of the film and to who the mysterious killer is and what their intentions are, this sets the stories enigma and allows the audience’s minds to flow.

Slow editing is used in the beginning and end of the shower stabbing, it is used at the beginning to create the beginning equilibrium. This is when the shower is turned on and when stepping into the shower. The audience do not know at this point that Marion is stepping into the cause of her death the shower knob could be used as a trigger of Marion’s death. After the stabbing, the camera tracks the blood going down the plug whole this is to signify the characters life going down the drain and the close up of the eye is to trigger what the audience have just witnessed in her POV.